Bob Thomas: Executive Director

WINNETKA, IL – Robert J. Thomas has been selected as Executive Director of Winnetka Community House, a nondenominational community center providing educational, cultural, social and recreational opportunities for all ages.

A longtime resident of the North Shore, Thomas brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and business sectors to his new position. After a successful career as a senior level executive working at Fortune 100 companies, Thomas transitioned to leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. Most recently, he was CEO & Executive Director of the Partnership to Educate and Advance Kids (PEAK), a nonprofit providing high school scholarships and mentoring support to underserved students in Chicago. In this role, he was responsible for doubling the number of students served, developing and implementing a mentor training program, and moving the organization from a working Board of Directors to a governance Board.

Previously, Thomas was CEO & Executive Director of Rainbows for All Children in Evanston, an international nonprofit helping children suffering from grief caused by death, divorce, life altering events or military deployment. During his tenure, he led the organization from insolvency by reducing over $500,000 in debt and restructuring programmatic and financial operations.

Thomas is a member of the board of Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan and was previously on the board of the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and the Career Resource Center in Lake Forest. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University of Chicago and received his ordination in Diaconate Studies from University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary.

Founded in 1911, the mission of WCH is to enrich the lives of North Shore residents, their families and friends by providing educational, cultural, social and recreational opportunities for people of all ages. In addition to classes, programs and special events for every member of the family, WCH has a full service Fitness Centre and gymnasium available to users, and theater and dance productions are held year-round. The facility also plays host to weddings, business meetings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs as well as housing some of the North Shore’s key nonprofit organizations such as the North Shore Art League, Junior League of Evanston-North Shore, Open Communities and the Winnetka Youth Organization. For more information, visit www.winnetkacommunityhouse.org.